Some of the highlights of the Q&A included Hanks stating that his most emotional scene of all time was when Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise) arrived at Forrest Gump's wedding with his new titanium legs. "I burst into tears," he said.

When asked if he would ever host a US version of Stephen Fry's QI, he said: "No, but University Challenge? Maybe!"

Talking about Road to Perdition director Sam Mendes, he said: "Sam is a talented gent who taught me the joys of Marmite on a toasted bagel."

On which Friends character he would play, he revealed: "The naked guy out the window across the back alley."

When asked by a UK fan if he was the nice guy he appeared to be, he joked: "I relish Aston Villa victories."

He also named Peter Scolari as the best-smelling co-star he has ever worked with, and Looper as his favourite recent movie.

Tom Hanks will star in the upcoming Captain Phillips in the title role as the captain of a ship hijacked by Somali pirates.

The film will open the 57th BFI London Film Festival, which runs from October 9 to October 20.

Captain Phillips will be released in the US on October 11 and in the UK on October 18. Watch a trailer below: